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TLDR:
- Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm General Catalyst acquires India-focused early-stage investor Venture Highway
- The new entity, General Catalyst India, plans to invest $500 million-$1 billion in India
Silicon Valley VC fund General Catalyst has acquired India-focused early-stage investor Venture Highway, with plans to invest $500 million-$1 billion in India. The new entity, General Catalyst India, will focus on early- and growth-stage investments in the country. General Catalyst’s chief executive, Hemant Taneja, expressed excitement about bringing their co-creation capabilities to India. Venture Highway, founded by former WhatsApp business head Neeraj Arora, counts unicorns like Meesho and Moglix in its portfolio. Along with Arora, Priya Mohan, Venture Highway’s general partner, will lead the India efforts for General Catalyst.
General Catalyst, known for backing startups like Canva, Airbnb, and Stripe, manages assets worth over $25 billion globally. In India, they have invested in fintech firm CRED and used-car marketplace Spinny. The firm sees India’s economic, political, and strategic significance growing, citing macro and micro tailwinds. The VC landscape in India has seen other firms like Accel and Nexus Venture Partners raising significant funds for investments in the country.
The move by General Catalyst to acquire Venture Highway and establish a strong presence in India underscores the growing opportunities in the Indian startup ecosystem. With a focus on early- and growth-stage investments, General Catalyst India aims to leverage its combined capabilities to support innovative startups in the country and contribute to the vibrant entrepreneurial landscape.
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